Courthouse receives security-features facelift

Metal detector, X-rays, surveillance cameras on the way

Taylor County Sheriff's Deputy Kris McCandless checks the parking lot of the courthouse Thursday afternoon. Deputies are responsible for security in the building and will soon be assisted by more high-tech measures.

Deputy McCandless takes some notes at his station in the courthouse lobby Thursday.

Taylor County Courthouse visitors will soon have to walk through a metal detector, have their stuff scanned by an X-ray machine and will be monitored throughout the courthouse by new-and-improved surveillance cameras.

County Judge George Newman said the courthouse security improvements, which will cost $190,800, will likely be installed next spring.

Newman said security measures will be "similar to what you go through at airports."

"We're going to try to be as West Texas-friendly as we can be," Newman said, regarding keeping the courthouse accessible. "But we don't want to wait until after a major incident and wish then that we had done this."

For counties with more than 75,000 people, Newman said, "we probably have the most accessible courthouse in the state of Texas."

"The new courthouse was built in 1972," Commissioner Chuck Statler said Thursday. "Taylor County needs to be proactive in upgrading security of our courthouse. With the addition of enhanced security, I would hope that citizens can also feel safe as they transact business. Unfortunately, our society has changed, and we need to make changes also."

Newman said, "If we were designing a building today, we would design it totally different."

The security enhancements are included in $1.5 million that county commissioners set aside in the 2007-08 budget for courthouse improvements. Other planned improvements include technology enhancements to the courthouse's six courtrooms.

Newman said the courthouse had two bomb threats in the last year or so and that the world is a different place since it was built, especially in the wake of 9/11.

The courthouse was designed for accessibility -- not security, Newman said. He said judges, attorneys and others have expressed concern with the current security situation.

Newman said similar security changes will be made at the Juvenile Justice Center, 889 S. 25th St. Those will cost $103,864.

Currently, the courthouse has four public entrances.

Because of increased security, however, that number likely will be reduced to one entry point on normal days and possibly two on busy jury service days, Newman said, although that detail as well as others still must be worked out.

As part of the effort, Newman said, the new system will likely require "card access" for county employees.

"It'll probably be a bigger adjustment for county employees as anyone," Newman said.

On Tuesday, commissioners will meet with representatives of McGee Architects of Dallas to discuss, among other things, improvements to courtrooms.

"They'll help us formulate a plan," Newman said.

That plan, Newman said, will focus on remodeling and modernizing the four district courts and two county courts-at-law, including the installation of surveillance cameras, the use of drop-down screens and video equipment, and providing accessibility for laptop computers.

Newman said he hopes the courtroom work will be completed over a three-year period, starting with doing one courtroom this fiscal year and two or three each of the following budget years.

He said he expects the cost of improvements, in each courtroom, to be $300,000 to $400,000.

"We're not looking for luxury in the courtrooms," Newman said, adding the county needs courtrooms that "command respect."

Also Newman said improvements will likely be made to the holding areas for inmates who are participating in court.

District Judge Lee Hamilton, who acts as local administrative judge, said he is happy with the commissioners' move to improve security and technology in the courthouse.

"We're not utilizing the technology that is available for the presentation of evidence in the courtroom," Hamilton said, adding there are no Internet portals in the courtrooms and that there aren't enough electrical outlets.

Courthouse security

Then: For several years prior to 2002, security was provided by a private company. Security guards monitored visitors who passed through a metal detector. Bailiffs watched courtrooms.

Now: Taylor County Sheriff's Office deputies are stationed in the lobby. Bailiffs are in the courtrooms.

Next Year: The number of entrances will be reduced from four to one or two. Metal detectors and an X-ray machine will be added, along with surveillance cameras. Bailiffs will remain in courtrooms.